Investigation of parametric design and additive manufacturing in emergency housing unit supply

This research focuses on the advantages of additive manufacturing applications and parametric design method for solving the problems that arise from the production, storage, transportation and utilization of emergency shelters. This study aims to investigate the applications of additive manufacturing technologies with parametric design method which provide the possibility of raw material storage and production on site in disaster areas and to propose design criteria for the application of building-scale 3D printing with parametric design method. In this study qualitative research methods are utilized. Initially; an extensive literature review on additive manufacturing technologies, concrete construction by 3 dimensional printing, parametric design tools and emergency shelter requirements has been conducted. Subsequently; the parameters of additive manufacturing with concrete material are determined and parametric design alternatives are developed based on the variables of structural geometry alternatives, environmental conditions, usage features and sheltered inhabitants. Material properties are defined as the independent variable during this process. Although there are sources in the literature regarding living spaces produced with additive manufacturing technology; there is a gap in the literature in Turkey. The problems of existing emergency sheltering structures determined throughout the literature review are; incompatibility to climate and ground conditions, flammability, the need for expert personel for installation, shortage of experienced staff and extended time periods for installation, non-interchangeable and non-customizable structures and deterioration of products stocked for emergency sheltering in time. It has been assessed and concluded that the use of on-site production with additive manufacturing technology with parametric design method can be used effectively and efficiently to solve the problems arose from traditional methods.